Surname Kilgariff - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'K'
Kilgariff: What does the surname Kilgariff mean?
The last name Kilgariff is of Irish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic term "Cill Garbh," which translates to "rough church." The surname may have originally been used to describe a person who lived near a "rough church" or one who had some connection to it, such as working as a caretaker, a priest, or a monk. Over time, the meaning may have changed to describe a person who was strong-minded or determined.
The exact origin of the Kilgariff surname is unclear, however, it is likely that the descendants of the original family of that name will have descended from a powerful noble family who were associated with the original "rough church." The family may have lived in County Galway, where the name is still fairly common, for many centuries. They likely participated in major local events and took part in conflicts between rival clans and families.
The Kilgariff family is said to be closely related to other powerful Irish clans, such as the O'Neills, the O'Sullivans, and the O'Connors. This is due to the fact that many of their ancestors intermarried with members of these clans. As a result, the Kilgariff surname carries with it not only a proud heritage but a sense of awe and respect from its Irish contemporaries.
Order DNA origin analysisKilgariff: Where does the name Kilgariff come from?
The surname Kilgariff is an indigenous Australian name that appears to be of Irish origin. The name is most commonly associated with an area of Australia in the Northern Territory of the country, near the border with Queensland, although records of its origins prior to the 1800s are scant.
In terms of modern day distribution, the surname appears to be quite rare. In recent records, the surname is most commonly associated with Northern Territory, particularly in the small towns of Katherine and Darwin. A quick search of the Australian Electoral Rolls of 2008 reveals numerous examples of Kilgariffs living in this region, suggesting a strong regional presence.
The Kilgariff surname also appears to have some presence in the state of Western Australia. This is likely due to the influx of Irish immigrants to this part of the country during the 19th century. In the 2021 telephone directory of Perth in Western Australia, there are several instances of people with the surname.
Outside of Australia, the surname appears to be much rarer, with records in the United Kingdom and the United States being hard to come by. That said, a small number of Kilgariffs have indeed been found in these countries, suggesting that the name does have some reach outside of its Australian origins.
Variations of the surname Kilgariff
The surname Kilgariff is derived from the old Gaelic name Mac Giolla Gearailt which means "son of the servant of the gear". This name is typically anglicized to Kilgariff and the variants and spellings include Killgariff, Kilgerry, Kilgerriff, Kilgorriff, MacGillet, MacGillet, MacGillit, Melgareil and MacGilgerry.
Kilgariff is a very old suffix of two Gaelic names, Mac and Giollagarailt, meaning "son of the servant of gear". This suffix can also be found in places with a Celtic background such as Scotland and Ireland, as well as parts of Europe with Scottish and Irish ancestry. Kilgariff is also used as a patronymic name by people of other nationalities as well as people with Scottish and Irish ancestry which makes it a relatively common surname.
The surname Kilgariff is used in various forms and spelling throughout the world, but in the United States, the most commonly used variants are Kilgariff and Kilgerriff. There are also variants that exist due to language and cultural influences such as Killgariff, Kilgorriff, MacGillet, MacGillet, MacGillit, Melgareil and MacGilgerry.
Kilgariff is an interesting surname due to its age and prevalence throughout the world. It has been used and spelt in a variety of ways, all of which are derived from the ancient Gaelic name Mac Giolla Gearailt - though many of its variants have different spellings and pronunciations. Despite the variations, this surname is a great example of the power of family name and heritage.
Famous people with the name Kilgariff
- Adam Kilgariff: A widely known English comedian, presenter and actor.
- Stephen Kilgariff: An English actor, director and writer.
- Joseph Kilgariff: An Australian politician and former member of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland.
- Richard Kilgariff: Former Member of the Legislative Assembly in the Northern Territory of Australia.
- Laurie Kilgariff: An Australian stage and television actress.
- Charles Kilgariff: An Australian politician who served as a Member of the 2nd Northern Territory Legislative Assembly from 1982 to 1986.
- Craig Kilgariff: An English footballer who plays for Chesterfield
- Benjamin Kilgariff: An Australian soccer player.
- Claude Kilgariff: An Australian cricketer who played five first-class matches.
- Christopher Kilgariff: An English professional rugby league footballer who has played in the Betfred Championship.